“We don’t have a bylaw that says you can’t touch it, but that doesn’t mean the community doesn’t value it,” urban planning manager Terry Barton says. “There’s a lot of public sentiment for the sign. The public could put a lot of pressure on them to keep it looking the way it does.”

Barton says owner Ronmor Developments of Calgary has yet to make formal application to redevelop the theatre but has already acknowledged the special place the sign holds for many locals.

“They think this is a cool thing so I think they are motivated to keep it going,” Barton adds. “It’s a remnant of a bygone era. I think for a lot of people, it reminds them of Kelowna in the ‘70s and ‘80s. It’s like Flintstones, one of the last remaining memories of the past."

Should Ronmor move ahead with plans for adaptive reuse of the site — essentially a gutting of the building while keeping the exterior — it would require an appearance before council for a form and character permit.

OPINION A report has recently stated that the average cost of food will inflate near double its average annual rate. This does not include fresh produce and most animal proteins. The inflation for these products may t